My daughter started year 7 this year, we purchased a phone for her as she travels to and from school on public transport. The majority of her friends have phones and are all on numerous social media apps. She would spend hours at a time on her phone if you allowed her to.
Do you have a certain amount of time you allow your child to use their phones at this age?
We have said all devices down at 5pm not to be touched till the next day, however in recent weeks I have court her numerous times sneaking back in to send 1 last message etc. Only last night was showing as 'active' on a social media app at 10pm. Are parents allowing their kids to have constant access to these apps all day and night?
I guess I keep picturing back when I was this age, deffinently no phone in my hand constantly. You take the phone away from the children these days and they don't know what to do with themselves.
3 Replies
My son is in year 9 has a basic phone in year with a $70 annual credit recharge on it . He only has four emergency numbers , mine, his dads , grandmas and his sisters . That 70 must last the full year for fast emergencies such as a very quick call or text . There are no aps downloaded for any social media . It’s strictly an emergency phone . He has a seperate iPad for anything else.
This way the phone stays as intended , for emergency use only . It’s already almost June and so far he’s used it just once to call me to tell me the bus was running very late .
Keep your daughters phone basic . No aps , no youtube , no other numbers but emergency contacts and use a yearly recharge voucher . Don’t connect it to your home account as it becomes unlimited and tempting for them otherwise.
My son is well past this age (hooray).
My nephew is in 1st year high school. No smart phone access.
Phone goes on charge at bedtime in my sisters room. No phone at dinner table. No phone at family functions etc.
My son got a very basic talk and text phone in year 7. He had his iPad for school that he could access the internet on when at school or home. He’s now 14, in year 9 and will be getting a smart phone tomorrow for an upcoming school music tour he is going on. He’s only getting a smart phone because it means he can take photos on it as well as play games during free time and when travelling while he is away. The basic phone will go to his younger brother who is in year 7. I don’t have many limits for my 14 year old in terms of his iPad as he’s pretty good at putting it down most of the time. My 12 year old has screen time limits as he’d be on it all night given half the chance, and he really needs his sleep. My youngest also is limited in the games he can have on it, as he would spend a fortune otherwise. You need to do what works for your family though.